WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to improve mental health and substance abuse treatment, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today chaired a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on issues facing the mental health community and reauthorizing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the first time in seven years. SAMHSA provides services, grants, and contracts to help support state and community efforts to prevent, detect, and treat substance abuse and mental health issues. "It is estimated that more than 44 million Americans have a mental disorder, 22 million Americans have a substance abuse problem and 7 to 10 million have co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders," stated Reed. "While we have made significant progress toward reducing the stigma associated with mental health and substance abuse problems, we have more to do. The services that SAMHSA provides are vital to detecting and combating the problems associated with mental illness and substance abuse and Congress has an opportunity to improve SAMHSA's ability to serve the millions of American's who suffer as a result of mental illness and substance abuse." Reed noted his particular interest in improving the network of community mental health providers, strengthening the links between housing and supportive services for homeless populations with substance abuse and mental health disorders, and exploring ways to enhance the workforce pipeline in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment. During the hearing, the HELP Committee heard testimony from long-time mental health advocate U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) who has pushed for increased funding for prevention programs and reforms to mental health and substance abuse treatment systems. "Congressman Kennedy has been a tireless advocate on behalf of the mental health and substance abuse treatment communities both in Rhode Island and nationwide, and I am grateful for the insight and knowledge that he has provided to the committee on these important issues," said Reed. The committee also heard from several other witnesses, including: SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline; Deputy Director of the Wyoming Department of Health Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division Rodger McDaniel; Housing for New Hope Executive Director Terry Allebaugh; and Lisa Halpern of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). "Mental illness and substance abuse are major national problems and they deserve our close attention and strong support. Today's compelling testimony has given us a clearer picture of the most pressing mental health and substance abuse challenges facing our nation today," concluded Reed. "This insight will help guide us as we move forward with consideration of this important SAMHSA legislation." Reed, a senior member of the HELP Committee, chaired the hearing at the behest of committee Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-MA) who was traveling overseas in Ireland today.